Electrical · Checklists

Electrical checklists

Three checklists cover most homeowner needs: a hiring checklist (license, insurance, permit, references, written scope), a safety walkthrough (smells, heat, scorch marks, GFCI test, panel condition), and a completion checklist (inspection passed, permit closed, paperwork received, panel directory updated).

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Checklists work here because electrical failures are boringly consistent. The same few omissions — no permit, no load calculation, no written diagnosis — cause most of the disputes.

The hiring checklist is the one that saves money. The safety walkthrough is the one that catches problems early: monthly, press the test and reset buttons on your GFCI receptacles, look for discoloration or heat around outlets and switches, and note any new buzzing, flicker or smell. ESFI's figures — around 51,000 residential electrical fires a year, and over 28,000 caused by arcing faults — are the reason this two-minute habit is worth having.

The completion checklist is the one people skip and later regret, because the permit close-out and inspection record are exactly what a buyer's agent or an insurance adjuster will ask for.

How to choose

Hiring: license number, verified on the state board: Name on the license must match the business you are paying. Status must be active.
Hiring: certificate of insurance from the insurer: General liability and workers' compensation. Sent by the insurance agent, not handed to you as a photocopy.
Safety: test GFCIs monthly: Press test, confirm power drops, press reset. If a GFCI will not trip or will not reset, replace it — that is a device that is no longer protecting anyone.
Safety: look and smell, do not open: Scan for scorch marks, warm faceplates, buzzing and burning odor. Do not remove the panel cover; that is where the energized parts are.
Completion: permit closed and inspection passed: Get the inspection record. An open permit on your property is a problem at resale.
Completion: updated panel directory and paperwork: Legible circuit labels, the invoice, the load calculation and any warranty terms in writing.

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All electrical checklists

Electrical Buyer Checklist

Electrical Safety Checklist

Electrical Pre-Install Checklist

Electrical Contractor Vetting Checklist

FAQ

Electrical checklists — common questions

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What should I ask an electrician before hiring?

License number and issuing state, whether they will pull the permit, whether inspection is included, what edition of code the jurisdiction enforces, whether a load calculation is part of the scope, what is excluded, and what the labor warranty is. Any hesitation on the first two is disqualifying.

How often should a home electrical system be inspected?

There is no universal schedule. Sensible triggers are: buying or selling, before or after a major renovation, when adding a large new load, after any water intrusion near the panel, and whenever you notice heat, smell or repeated tripping. Homes with knob-and-tube or aluminum branch wiring warrant a professional look sooner.

How do I test a GFCI outlet?

Plug in a lamp, press the TEST button — the lamp should go out — then press RESET to restore power. If the outlet does not trip on test, or will not reset, it needs replacing. Do this monthly on kitchen, bath, garage and exterior receptacles.

What paperwork should I have after electrical work?

The permit, the passed inspection record, an itemized invoice, any load calculation, the warranty terms in writing, and photos of the panel label and directory. Store them with your home records.

Sources

Where these figures come from

ESFI — Home Electrical Fires · retrieved 2026-07-25